\Vl\TER WREN. 41 



Young, similar to the adult, hut with a more rufous suffusion beneath and with the feathers of the throat and 

 breast tipped with dusky. The wins; coverts are also more spotted. 



/ . darker throughout than In the young, the throat being as dark as the flanks. There are no 

 spots on the sides of the neck. The burs beneath are not as conspicuous and the feathers of the throat and breast 

 show lighter centres. The young birds from which I have taken the above descriptions were kindly loaned me by 

 Mr. Brewster and .Mr. Harold Ilerrick. Those in the nesting plumage were taken in New Hampshire and at Grand 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Specimens vary somewhat in the amount of black on the lower portions of the body as well as in the shading 

 above, although they are more uniform in this respect. Differs from cedon as described under that species. It cannot 

 be confounded with the Marsh Wrens, for they are streaked with white on the back. Distributed during summer 

 throughout the more northern sections of the United States and North America j winters in the Southern States, but 

 is rare in Florida. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of seven specimens from New England. Length, 4-10; stretch, 6-04; wing, 1-72; tail, 

 1-24; bill. -4i<: tarsus, -66. Longest specimen, 4-25; greatest extent of wings, 6-30; longest wing, 2'00; tail, 1-32; 

 bill, -4',i; tar-ns, ;.-,. Shortest specimen, 3-75; smallest extent of wings, 6-50; shortest wing, 1-70; tail, 1-10; bill, 

 35 ; tarsus, -65. 



DESCRIPTION OP NEST AND EGGS. 



The following descriptions were kindly forwarded to me by Mr. Ridgway. That of the nest was made from a 

 specimen now in the Smithsonian collection, which was taken in Maine by Mr. W. F. Hall. 



Nest. A compact mass of green moss, strengthened by a few slender twigs of coniferous trees. It is In the 

 form of a hollow ball with the cavity deep and the entrance narrow. Dimensions : 6 inches in length by 3-50 in 

 diameter. 



K'jfia, five in number (these described were taken at Fort Umpqua, Oregon, by Mr. E. P. Vallum), oval in form, 

 pure white in color with a circle of thickly sprinkled reddish-brown dots around the larger end. Dimensions, 

 68x-48. 



HABITS. 



The Winter Wrens find their summer homes in the thick, evergreen woods of Northern New 

 England ; here they frequent the masses of fallen trees, that are piled in confused heaps by the 

 tornadoes, which occasionally visit these vast forests. The birds are abundant in such situations, 

 but if it wen- not for the peculiarly sweet warbling song of the males, which are frequently 

 heard, one would be inclined to call them rare. All Wrens are endowed with the faculty of 

 concealing themselves, but in the Winter Wrens this instinct is developed to a remarkable 

 degree ; and even while they are singing remain hidden. I have stood within a few 3'ards of 

 their place of abode and endeavored to discover" the invisible bird which was constantly 

 repeating his delightful melody ; but after the closest scrutiny was obliged to give up the search 

 as unsuccessful. When approached too nearly these Wrens glide through the intricate passages 

 of their retreat like mice and it requires considerable exertion to drive them from a particular 

 ]ii]<- : when forced to leave they use every available means to escape unseen. I have seen one 

 enter the knot hole of a hollow log, when closely pursued, and emerge at the open end which 

 was in a thicket. These birds must conceal their nests very carefully ; for, although I am certain 

 that I have many times been within a few yards of their homes, I have failed to discover any 

 after the most thorough search. The Winter Wrens pass Massachusetts during the migrations 

 in October and April ; they are very rare in Florida and I have never met with them there, but 

 Mr. Boardman informs me that he has seen them on two occasions. 



BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 6 



